Michael A. De Leon is a graphic designer by day, but wears many hats in his off time. In 2004, after several years of covering the Spurs, he started Project Spurs, a Spurs team fansite as an outlet to provide content to Spurs fans, while continuing to write for himself and learning the ins and outs of online publishing and web design. He has since built a writing team and started a popular weekly Spurs podcast called the Spurscast.

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Preview 09: Predictions

Project Spurs writers looked through their crystal balls yet again in hopes of finding out who would win the NBA’s awards this season and seeing exactly how far this Spurs team will get this season. These are our picks. Be sure to leave your thoughts and predictions in the comments.

Michael De Leon

MVP – Kobe Bryant

I’ve got Kobe repeating as MVP. In my opinion, he is still the best player in the NBA and I expect him to make another trip to the NBA Finals. Whereas we may see Lebron’s numbers dip a bit with the addition of Shaq, I’m not seeing the same for Kobe with the Artest signing. If anything, Kobe’s assist numbers should improve a bit now that he has several options. Look out for Carmelo Anthony as my darkhorse pick.

ROY – Blake Griffin

While you might expect me to make the homer pick of DeJuan Blair here, after watching Griffin this preseason, he seems ready to make an impact for the Clippers immediately…well after he comes back from his injury. Griffin impressed me with an array of low post moves and athleticism.

DPOY – Dwight Howard

Anytime you average 2.9 blocks per game, you really don’t need to do much more to be worthy of this award. But Howard also also averages close to 10 defensive rebounds and one steal per game. More importantly than stats, though, is the fact that he changes the game when he is in. Players become aware of him as soon as they try to get into the paint and his blocks make players second guess or alter their shots.

6th Man – Lamar Odom

With the addition of Artest, it looks as though Lamar Odom will be coming off the bench for the Lakers. Odom should inject some life into the Lakers’ second unit and if he stays focused and confident, he may even improve off of last season’s numbers. If his personal assistant keeps enough candy stocked, the sky is the limit.

Most Improved – Anthony Randolph

While I had Aaron Brooks penciled in here, I think Anthony Randolph will end up winning this award. He looked good towards the end of his rookie season and if the preseason is telling of his season, he’ll have a breakout sophomore year. If given starters numbers, I think you can expect about 16 and eight a night and possibly two blocks to go with that.

Spurs 09-10 Record: 60-22

As David Thiessen says later in this post, the Spurs will look to start slower at the beginning in hopes of bringing it all together and having everyone healthy for a deep playoff run. I see some improvement in the wins category from last season with the pieces added over the offseason, but I can’t see them getting past 60 since they will drop a few games here and there while sitting the big three.

Finals Matchup: Lakers vs. Celtics

The Spurs will take the Lakers to seven games in one of the best Western Conference Finals matchups we will have seen in the last decade, but as much as I would love to see the Spurs go on to win a fifth ring against the Celtics, I think the Lakers will end up winning game seven but going on to lose to the Celtics.

Jeff Garcia

MVP – Lebron JamesHe IS the Cavaliers. They will only go as long as he goes. He will lead them to a top seed in the East and capture the MVP trophy. But will it be enough for him and the Cavs to come out of the East?

ROY – Blake GriffinThe complete package. He has the strength for the low post and the athleticism for perimeter play. A lot is riding on this Rookie’s shoulders for the Clippers now and into the future.

6th Man – Marquis DanielsA very “under the radar” pick up by the Boston Celtics but a vital one for the Celtics. He will provide instant offense off the bench as well as present match-up nightmares for opposing teams.

MIP – Aaron BrooksNo T-Mac. No Ming. Brooks will have to lead the Rockets and keep them afloat until T-Mac returns. Because of this expect his minutes and numbers to increase.

COY – Nate McMillianNow that he will have a healthy Blazers squad, expect him to lead the team to a better record they had last year and challenge the West’s elite teams.